Ballard Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Ballard Wildlife Management Area is located in Jackson County, Wisconsin, and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
The area covers over 8,000 acres of forest, wetlands, and grasslands, providing habitat for a diverse array of wildlife.
Visitors to the area can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. There are several trails throughout the area, including the 2.5-mile Boardwalk Trail that takes visitors through a wetland area and offers excellent birdwatching opportunities.
One of the main points of interest at Ballard Wildlife Management Area is the large population of sandhill cranes that call the area home. Visitors can watch these majestic birds in their natural habitat throughout the year, but the best time to see them is during their spring and fall migrations.
Other wildlife species that can be spotted in the area include white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and a variety of bird species, including bald eagles and ospreys.
Interesting facts about the area include its history as a former cranberry farm and its designation as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.
The best time of year to visit Ballard Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are ideal for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, while summer is a popular time for fishing and hiking. Winter offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Ballard Wildlife Management Area is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in experiencing Wisconsin's natural beauty and wildlife.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Chestnut Hills Nature Preserve
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Boatwright Wildlife Management Area
Ohio River Recreation Area
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site